Soon places an event a short time away without naming an exact time.
The idea
Use soon for before long: the bus will arrive soon. Ask how soon to ask when something can happen. Soon after lunch means a short time following lunch.
Examples
- The bus will arrive soon.
- I will call you soon.
- We are leaving soon.
- How soon can you reply?
- Soon after lunch, the rain stopped.
- The shop closes at six, so we need to leave soon.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
Do not assume soon gives an exact number of minutes. Ask for a specific time when the schedule matters.
Try it yourself
The bus is expected in a short time. The bus will arrive ___. (soon / never)
Show answer or example answer
soon
soon indicates that the bus is expected before long.
Ask when a reply can happen, not how frequently. How ___ can you reply? (soon / often)
Show answer or example answer
soon
how soon asks when a reply can happen.
The rain stopped a short time after lunch. Soon ___ lunch, the rain stopped. (after / before)
Show answer or example answer
after
after puts the rain ending shortly after lunch.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
The bus is expected in a short time. The bus will arrive ___. (soon / never)
Ask when a reply can happen, not how frequently. How ___ can you reply? (soon / often)
The rain stopped a short time after lunch. Soon ___ lunch, the rain stopped. (after / before)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Say what you will do soon and ask how soon a friend can reply.